Apparatus for forming articles from paper oh similar material



' 1,628 257 May 1927' G. P. MALwRY APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM PAPER 0R SIMILAR MATERIAL Filed May 26, 1925 4 Sheetsr-Sheet 1 L628 57 May 1927 a? APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES mom PAPER 0R SIMILAR-MATERIAL Filed f-fiay" .6, 1.92:5 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1927' a P. MMWLQRY APPARATUS FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM PAPER 0R SIMILAR MATERIAL WM arne 4 Sh eets-Sheet 3 iled. May 25 May 10, 1927.

G. P. MALLORY APPARATUS- FOR FORMING ARTICLES FROM PAPER OR SIMILAR MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 flO h 0 5 HO WW Filed Ma :llli -Iii i l In Denim".-

Patented May 10, 1927.

STATES GEORGE P. MALLOEY, 01F PHILADELPHIA, PENNS LVAZE IIA, ASSIGNOR TO SANITARY PRODUCTS CORPORATION OF AJNIEBIFA, QF FHFLLADELPHIA, ltENN-SYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION or VIRGINIA.

nrranarus non FORMING en'rIcLns Application filed May as,

This invention relates to the melding of articles from fibrous, plastic, or semi-plastic -material and especially, although not errclusively, to the manufacture of table utensils, such as spoons and forks from paper or similar sheet material.

in the manufacture of articles of this kind from such stock, it has heretofore been necessary to temper the stock by wetting the same in such a manner as to saturate it with moisture to a sutl ient extent to permit the molding of the articles between the usual shaping dies, This necessity has heretofore been the cause of considerable inconvenience and expense, and has resulted. n an uneven and otherwise unsatisfactory product In order to secure the best results, the stock should be evenly moistened throughout to a certain degree only, and it has been found diliicult, due to variations in atmospheric conditions, thus evenly to temper the stock at all times. ll loreover, the articles thus formed must be dried before being packed for shipment, and considerable time, dependinp; also upon atn'iospheric conditions, is necessary for this purpose, it having: been found il'npracticable and unsatisfactory to employ artificial d ung means 'llwo days or more are freque'i cly required for this purpose, so that, in plants in which such operations are carried out, it is i'iccessary to provide storage space for at least the quantity produced in two days, thereby seriously handicapping the rate of production in a plant of given size. Also, the articles so fori'ned are not available for shipment until after the expiration of the time required for drying.

Fu "thermore, such articles are usually formed in a press having cooperating combined blanking-out and shaping dies from between which the articles must be removed, usually by a blast of air, causing them to be discharged in. a heterogeneous manner and requirin5 special provision for their reception and ad' 'tional labor in packing.

The pi sent invention has for an object the elimination of the necessity of tempering the stock by moisture. thereby resulting in more even product irrespective of the atmo heric conditions, which product is immec. itel r available, dom away with the necessity for store e s ace dr in pur- J '3 poses, and permit ring a quicker turu-over FRUIJE PAPER GEE: SIMILAR MATERIAL.

192.3. Serial No. 641,591.

in the operation of the plant. The invention also has for its object the delivery of the articles in an orderly manner, so as to permit of their reception in the containers in which they are to be shipped. To these ends, the invention contemplates the mold ing of the articles from dry stock in the presence of dry heat, which is found to soften the stock to a suilicicntextent to permit the molding thereof, said stock retaining the form into which it has been molded upon cooling, and the heat employed (approximately 160 F being insuliicient to injure the steel: or prevent the immediate availability of the product. This operation is preferably carried on by means of an apparatus comprising blankingout dies for separating blanks from the stock, shapmg dies to receive the blanks and mold them into the desired form under pressure and in the presence of dry heat applied to the dies, the finished articles being subsequently ejected from the forming dies at a definite point and in such a manner as to permit their reception in nested form in a suitable container.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, together with means whereby the same may be carried into effect, will best be understood from the following description of the construction and operation of an up paratus by means of which it may be practiced. It will be understood, however, that the particular construction and arrangement of the apparatus shown, and the particular operations described, have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely, and that the invention, as defined by the claims hereunto appended, may be otherwise practiced without departure from its spirit and scope.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is front elevation of a machine constructed and operating in accordance with the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections. taken substantially on the line 2-2 of l gure l, of the frontand rear portions respectively of the machine, the hlanlting out dies being), shown in both f and the same being shown in and depressed in Figure Figs. 4t and 5 are horizontal sections corresponding to Figures 2 and talren suhguides for the upper blanking-out die belng omitted, end the molding and shaping);

mechanism substanorally shown in plan.

Fig. 6 is-an enlarged detail :saection token substantially on the lines 6 6 of Figure l, of the drums for snpporti:1; one end of the set of: lower shaping die sections.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view ijtllitil substantially on the line 7-? oi' l ure l; illust atinp; the cooperation of the blwldng out and shaping dies.

Fig. 8 an Gnlflb d sectioin taken substanti ally on the line 8-8 out Figure 9 show-- ing the cooperating shaping die sections separated after molding the blanks into the desired form.

Fig. 9 a section, tail-zen substantially on the line 99 of liigure 8, showing; the shap ing die sections pressed together in the molding of the articles.

'5. 10 is an enlarged elevation, partly broken away, of the driuns for supporting one end of the upper set of shaping (lie sections and the ejector or knockout derices carried thereby.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation, partly in sec-- tion on the line ll. of Figure 10, ot the parts shown in the latter figure.

The press which constitute}; the blanking out portion of the a p'aratus may be of any suitable d sien, but herein shown is substantially oi the type illustrated in letters Patent No. 1,378,701, dated Mary H, 1.921.. Said press is supported upon a suitable base l) and comprises uprights 21v carrying between them a bolster 9 2 and in the upper parto't which journalled a drixdnrg 1 z as a chore seine shaft 24; to which power from any suitable source may be sup iilied througl'i a belt pulley The shaft 24lis formed with a, crank 5. 36 connected by a preie'ebly adjustable pitman 27 With a rain 28 having secured thereto a seinicylindrical Web plate 29 by which said rain is guided for vertical movement in guides l9 on the uprights Ell. Secured to the lower end ol' the rain u punch carrier 30 guided by ports ill rising from the bolster and secured to the punch ,arrier so is a punch 32 provided with the usual spring pressed stripper plate 33 and yieldingly mounted lmockont pins also Fig. 7) said punch cooperating with an. open punch die 35 forming part 0t an opeu-endmh box-- like member carried by the holster 212) above Which said punch die supported in elevated position. 'llhe punch 32 and punch die 35 constitute blankingput dies which are preferably double, so to blank out two articles at each stroke of the rennas eK- plained in Letters Patent No. LS'YSJOT,

above referred. to; tiaid, dies are, however VLl l between the 'lhe blah ill (see particularly l i i'. T) which are screrrd 'troui the stool-1 M by the punch 322 are lorced hr sunl punch hrough the open punch die t uul ccssirel r in lower die sci-.i ins wh t-tn with conipleinentor die Mons l2- l l i rr- 7. in 53 and. $3), constitute the l UIIHlHliillUl-Q 'lbc (lie scctioiis ell comp i liulcs which are pivotally connected to lrrm a cimtinumu: end less chain, there being two chains o't' die ucc tious ll and two cooperating hains of die HQCl'iOElr; the die sectituis A l ol' the two Jim/ lower chains beings; htly s zggrcred with respect to one mother to correspond with 343 and bowing u taper-ed end to cmpulic bcr clled recesses iii in the sererul die scctiolu .ihe chains torinezl by the the sections pass about drums lat curried by bruclrcts 55 secured to the bolster 215 at the tropt o l the machine and at the rear ol the uriu'biuo about drums a-l-ll carried by u beau] ll which is secured :it its 'lorrrurel end, to the bolster and is supported at its rear end by u suit able upri "l t ll The drums ll and to or:- of poly i run harii rides to as or die -acclior and :Ho jouruallcd in bearings 19 rcspi-c which lcuril tiYel talie up the shirt: in the cbuhn position the adjusting screws formed by the die sect ions hi pus-s uboul rim- 'ilur polygonal drums fill and ill so locoi'cd us Iiiiable, to ul priuirrb swcrul die sections. hr" means of St and The ('llfilllfi to support noel ,Lfuide e:

u oY the corre pond with its lo (or rezicb to the uppe reach cl :iiiu ol' die vculiops lbc 'lru iournulled in lifted bouriu braclz'els Fifi siwu'ed to the top oil the brunt ell ad acent the 'lbrwurd cud lhcrcoll wh le u c journrzllcd u beurii the drone; i i

V Y I 1 i I rinicn are slulablr mounted in arms or or" tending upwardly and renrwurdlr troui rear end oil "the beam Fi said bent-ii being); normally pressed rearwardlr to l. up the sleek 1 1 the chains by spring i is mini. 1 is icinitt mli ii .oneituduial series oi? o genlngs 5%) in which are to till cated electric heating units 3, 8 and 9) of any suitable type. The construction and connections of the heating units 60 are not shown in detail herein, as these parts may be of any suitable standard type. The arrangement is such that the heaters 60 are located immediately beneath portions of the upper reaches of the chains formed by the die sectons 41, so as to heat said die sections they pass over the beam 4t? in the operation of the machine.

Guided for l()11}jll'-lltlll11l reciprocation on the beam l? is a slide comprising upper and lower members 61 and 62 held in assembled position upon said beam by means of bolts 63. The upper member 61 is shaped on its upper surface to support and guide the several die sections 41 as they pass thereover and carries a friction device comprising pads G l of friction material which are forced by set screws 65, acting through follower plates 66, against the upper surface of the beam n, whereby longitudinal movement of said slide is yieldingly resisted to an extent determined by the adjustment of the set screws. The upper member 6101? the slide constitutes also the lower member of a clamp, the upper member of which comprises a plate 67 guided for movement toward and fronti the member 61 on posts 68 risingfrom the latter member. The clamp plate 67 is shaped on its under surface to receive and guide the several die sections 42. Rotatably supported at the top of the plate 67 is a shaft 69 having secured to its opposite ends depending arms 70. The arms 70 are pivoted at their lower ends to levers 71- intermediate the ends of the latter, said levers being pivoted at their upper ends to the lower member 62 of the slide, At their lower ends, the levers 71 are connected by links 72 with arms 73 (Fig. 3) on a shaft 74 journalled in brackets 75 (see also Fig. 5) secured to the side members 21 of the frame of the press. The shaft 74 has fast thereon additional arms 76 carrying at their upper ends a block 77 which is adjustable longitudinally of said arms by means of an ad justing screw 78. The block 77 is connected by links 7 9 with arms 80 on a shaft 81 ournalled in brackets 82 supported by a cross member 83 of the press frame. Secured to the shaft 81 is a third arm 84; which is pivotally connected with a bracket 85 secured to the web plate 29 of the ram 28.

t will be seen that when the ram 28 is reciprocated the arms 73 will, through the con nections above described, be oscillated about the axis of the shaft 74:. As the arms '15 move toward the right from the position shown in Figure 3, the links 72 will tend to draw the slide 61. 62 also toward the right. This movement is, however, resisted by the friction devices 64, so that the levers 71 are swung about their pivots, drawing down wardly upon the links 70, and drawing the upper member 67 of the clamp downwardly upon the lower member 61, as shown in Figure 9. This closing of the clamp causes the shaping die sections 42 to be pressed against the complementary sections a], thereby b-7l1tlPlI1g the blanks 13 into articles A. When the clamp has been closed with sufficient pressure to overcome the force of the friction (which may be determined by adjustment of the friction device by the screws es) the closing: movement of the clamp will be arrested and the slide moved toward the right, carrying: with it the adjacent reaches of the two chains and moving the dies rearwardly. As the arms 73 move in the opposite direction, the clamp will first be opened (being again held against longitudinal movement by the friction devices) to separate the die sections, and then, the

arms 70 being brought into engagement with pins 86 projecting from the member 61, the whole clamping device is moved forwardly to engage the chains at a new point. The longitudinal movement of the clamp at each reciprocation of the ram is equal to the length of one die said clamp, however, beinn preferably of a sufficient length to en- ,Qaoe two dies at one time. The closing of the die sections by the clamp is permitted by the springs 58, which enable the drums 54 to yield somewhat, said springs subsequently expanding and by such action operating to separate the die sections when the clamp is opened.

Each of the die sections 42 is provided with a pair of sliding knock-out pins 90 the outer ends of which are received in a groove 91 in the clamping plate 67 and in a groove 92 in the corresponding drum 54-, similar grooves being provided in the drruns Located in the groove of each of; the drums 5a are knock-out plates having stems 94 arranged to slide radially in the drum. Each of the stems 94: is provided with a transverse pin 95 which projects through slots 96 in the body of the drum. The pins 95 of each drum are, as the drum is rotated, brought successively into a position for engagement by an arm 97 on a shaft 98 journalled in an adjacent portion of the arm 57. At the outer end of the shaft 98 is an arm 99 connected by a link 100 with a lug" 101 on the shaft 7 1-. As the arm 97 is oscillated by the connections last described, it engages the pin 95 on the stem 9a of the adjacent knock-out plate 93, mor I inp; said plate outwardly, and causing the same, by engagement with the outer ends of the knockout pins 90 of the die section then in engagement therewith. to move said pins outwardly to eject the finished article adhering tosaid die.

The complete operation of the machine is as follows l As the rain 28 is reciprocatcd it "Will at each downward movement, punch two blanks from the dry or untenipered stock S, forcing said blanks through the open punch die 35 and into the die section ll immediately below the latter, as shown in Figure 7. During the downward lllOVClllLllt of the am, the chains of die sections ll and 4-2 rein in stationary, as do also th teed rollers 37, said tl eed rollers heinooperated at each upward nuiiren'ient ol the rain to advance the stock. Also during the upward movement of the rain, the chunp til, (it is closed to prose two adjacent die sections l2 into engagement with the conipleiuenlary die se 'tious with u torce determined by the adjustn'ient of the set screws llli, after which the slide 61, is advanced to teed the chains an amount substantially equal to the length i of one pair of di sections. The die sections are thus intermittently advanced, so that the sect-ions which have received hlanl from the hlauhingr-out dice urc encceesirel t brought into the clamp, being; in the meantime heated by the heaters 60 to a eu'l'licient extent to soften the stock. This dry heat is maintained by odditional heaters innuediately inder the clamp and beyond the mine. he the clamp is closed, the complementary oie sections are pressed to rel ier and shape or mold the hhinlc, as shown in Figure the plHf-Hl'0 being repeated upon the next closure ol? the clamp utter the chains have been moved. its the die sections are separated, as shown in Figure 5%, the completed articles will, by re son of the shape of the (lies, adhere to the upper dies and, the movement (it the chains of ee brought to the drums 5-fl. fit this point the corresponding ejector plates 93 are operated to cause the l-il'l()0l{()llii pins 90 to rcleuse the blanks from the dies Flt Will be seen that in this manner two finished articles are ejected from the machine at each operation, the articles from each chain heinp all diecharged at exactly the same point and in the sonic position, so that said articles can readily be received in nested condition in a euitahle container of relatively small sin ll hile the invention has been herein dcscrihed in connection with the inanuitaeture of spoons from paper stock, it will he oh vious that many features of the apparatus shown, and defined by the following); claims, are not dependent for their iiitility upon the precise material operated. upon, anc that said apparatus may, with such modifications as clearly fall within the spirit of the inventior and the range of mechanical shill, he en'iployed tor the manufacture of a Wide rariet of articles from substantially eny n1aterial capable of being; molded under th, influence of dry heat in the manner es plained,

aid upper ties continues, will. eventuall l'luving thus claini l. [l n dcscrihed my invention, l:

apparatus tor ihu'uiiuu; articles li'oni eruil comprieuiu', in t'tllllilllldl'l ll,

"or p dies lllll'lllll f l' lilauw from :uiid iual'criu, and shag lllfgj dies inovahlc into and out oi position to receive i-xuid lilunhu l'roui lauid punching; dies.

An apparatus lor toriniiur articles tron:

sheet material cmnpriei 5; in coulhiualioju, a punch, .1 coope ating open, punch din and in on for shaping hhinlcs punched From the material by said punch, aid uu-cuu-a izarhzding a shaping die, llltulir; "w uup ui'l' id l i; l, shaping die in. a petition u puiul :u'd punch die to receive the lihiulqs thcrrlr u and lllQllllS :l or nioi'iugg said shaping; die ii and out of said. position.

n. i'in eppuratiu; i'or forming: :u'lir 'l'uu sheet material comprising, in (Ulllill .iliou,

dies from said lualor punching llllllllES teriuh a shaping d i comprising? cumphx uieutary (he secnus. and means for mercuc of said die new 'onu allcreatively into position to receive said hluuhu l'i'oiu :euid puuchiup" lllLzl and into coopciiuiou with he coinplen'zcntary die section to mold mid blanks.

hi. sheet n 1 apparatus for lnriniiug; :u'l ielcu l'i'oiu internal rz'luiprisuur, in rouihiuutiou, I

:: puma, a commuting: open punch div, :1 shaping; die coiuprisiiur coiuphzuculur elm lions, and means tor muting oiux of mid nectione altci'natircly lulu position :ulpiccul' said punch die to receive therejl ruiu tho hhudo; removed ilroiu the iualei'iul hy said punch, and into cooperution with its co;uplcuu uhu'r section to mold mid lilaulei.

5. lln. apparel no for :loriuiu J-J articles l'i'iuu sheet niuteriul coiuprieingr in roiuliiiiuiiun, dies d ll aloriul,

Hill

for pinching); lilauloi from shaping; dies adapted to rcccii'e said li uuhu from said punching: dies, in nine roopr-i'utiiur n'ith said slurping: dies to term ui'lii'h u from said lllflfllifn'. and means; For MuccW-iiclju inurin'p; said shaping dies 'l'roin mid puuchiu ig dies to said coopvrulin:1- 'l'orniinp: lllitlllH,

6. Au apparatus s tor worming urliclee tron: sheet material comprising, in co uhiuulioin dies for punchii'ig l lunhs iron: mid unlicria l, f

and a series of shapiiw dies for moldi" said hlrinlts li l'fi the desurcd l'orn'i, ouch of said shaping; dim util'i'lpjlo a plurality i uhupiup; said hlanhs including a truvelllnlr :sorin:

oil shaming dice respectively iulapted to mold eucceesire hlaulte into the MSiltc'l tor n. i

a. .ilin appantue tor :torminlll article;

Fill

l l H liill from sheet material comprising, in combination, a pair 01 dies for punching blanks from said material, a series of travelling dies, and means cooperating with said dies to shape said blanks, successive dies 'ot said series operating upon successive blanks, and each of said dies being adapted, With said cooperating means, to mold a blank into the desired form.

9. An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material. comprising, in combination, a pair of dies for punching blanks from said material, and a plurality of shaping dies respectively adapted to mold successive blanks into the desired term, each of said shaping dies comprising a plurality of complementary sections, and the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked to gether in continuous chains.

10. An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combination, dies for punching blanks from said material, a series of shaping die sections movable successively into a position to re ceive said blanks from said punching dies, and a corresponding series of complementary die sections into cooperation with which said first named die sections are movable to mold said blanks.

11. An apparatus for torn ring articles from sheet material comprising, in combination, a punch, a cooperating open punch die, a series of shaping die sections movable successively into a position adjacent said punch die to receive therefrom the blanks removed from the material, and a corresponding series of complementary die sections into cooperation With which aid first named die sections are movable to mold said blanks.

1.2. An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combination, dies for punching blanks from said .material, a series of shaping dies for molding said blanks, each of said shaping dies comprising a plurality of complementary sections, and the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked together into continuous chains, and devicestor supporting and operating said. chains adapted to bring the die sections of one of said chains successively into a position to receive said blanks from said punching dies and to bring the several die sections of each die into cooperation.

13. An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combination, a punch, a cooperating open punch die, a series of shaping dies each comprising a plurality of complementary sections, the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked together into continuous chains, and devices for supporting and operating said chains adapted to bring the die sections of one of said chains successively into a position adjacent said punch die to receive therefrom the blanks removed from the material and to close the several sections of each die upon said blanks to mold the same.

i l. The combination of two sets of travelling die sections, the sections of one set being complementary to the sections of the other set, mechanism for delivering a blank to a section of one set, and means actuated in response to the movement of the mechanism for moving other sections of the two sets intocooperation to shape a different blank.

15. An apparatus for forming articles trom sheet material comp "ising, in combination, dies for punching blanks from said material, shaping dies for molding said blanks, means for moving said shaping dies While holding them closed upon the blanks, and means for heating said shaping dies.

16. l-in apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combinatiou, dies for punching blanks from said material, a series of shaping dies for molding said blanks, each of said shaping dies comprising a plurality of complementary sections, and the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked together in continuous chains, and means for heating the die sections of one of said chains.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, devices for closing the sections of the several dies successively and for moving the series longitudinally, and stationary means for heating said dies as they are moved.

18. In an apparatus ol the character described, .a series of shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, and means operative upon the several dies for successively pressing together the sections thereof and thereafter feeding the series intermitlently.

19. An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combination, dies for punching blanks from saidv material, a series of shaping dies for molding said blanks, said shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, and means for successively pressing together the sections of the several dies and feeding the series intermittently.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of shaping dies each com prising complementary sections, means for successively pressing together the sections of the several dies and iteeding the series intermittently, and stationary means for heating said dies.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked together in continuous chains, and the several. chains having adjacent reaches dis posed normally parallel and in spaced relation, and means for pressing together a portion of said reaches to engage certain die sections While a portion o'l? said reaches remain in spaced relation.

522. in an a iparatus of the character described, a series or shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, the correponding sections of the several dies being linked together in continuous chains, and the several chains having reaches disposed adjacent and parallel to one another, a clamp i'or successively engaging the complementary die sections of the several chains and pressing them together, and means "tor reciprocating said clamp to feed said chains.

23. A apparatus for tori'ning articles from sheet material COlIlPl'lSlng, in combination, dies for punching blanks from said material, a series oi shaping dies for molding said blanks, each oit. a: id shaping dies coniprisina con'iplementary sections, the corre- K490116111?! sections ol. the several dies being;-

linked together in continuous chains, and the several chains having reaches disposed adjacent and paralled to one another, and means for successively pressing together the complementary die sections of the several chains and intermittently feeding said chains.

24-. In an apparatus of the character described, a series of shaping dies each comprising; complementary sectionsthe correspending; sections of the several dies being; linked to ether in continuous chains, means for supporting and guiding said chains with adjacent reaches ot the several chains normally parallel and in spaced relation and means for successively pressing; together certain complementary sections relatively to adjacent complementary sections of said reaches.

In an apparatus oi the character de scribed, a series oi shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, the correspending sections of the several dies being linked together in continuous chains, means for supporting; and guiding: said chains with reaches of the several chains adjacent and parallel to one another, and independent means for successively pressing together the complementary die sections of the several chains and feeding said chains.

26. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a plurality 01" shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, a beam adjacent which the corresponding sections of the several dies are guided in a series, means for guiding the complementary sections in another series adjacent thereto, a clamp for successively engaging complementary die sections in the respective series andpressing them together, means for closing said clamp and moving the same longitudinally along said beam, and a lriction device between i-oid clamp and beam tor holding: said clamp against longitiulinal movement until closed with sutlicient ilorcc to overcome the friction.

T. lfn an aruparatus ot the charm-toidc d, a series at sha 'iinu' dies each couiprising conipleinento11v sections, the corresponding" soctiol'ls oi? the l-levcrril dies being; linked together in continuous chains, and the several chains having}; reaches (llHlJllr-ttl adjacent and. j'iarallel to one another, a beam dis wscd adjacent and prutallcl to said reaches, a clamp ,uuidcd on said beam and ciig agriiipj at opposite sides adjacent portions ot the several chains, means tor rl(i:*ll'l f1 said clamp and moving the some louultudiuullv along; said beam, and a 'lrictiou device hetivcen said clamp and brain tor holdim, raid clamp against longitudinal movement until closed with sutlicicut force to overconiothc friction.

in an apparatus of the character described. a plurality ot shaping: dies each compri conipleinentaiv r-cl'lionz-, a beam adjacent which the correspondinn scctioi'is oi? he several dies are guided in a series. means for puidiiug the complementary sew tions in another series adjacent thereto a. clamp tor successively engaging complementary die sections in the respective series and pressing; them together, means for closinp; said clamp and moving); the some hiooitlul nally along: said beam, and a 'lfriction device between said clamp and beam tor hohl u said clamp against loiuz'i udinal movement until closed. with sullicicnt ilorco to over ome the friction, said friction device hcinp' adjustable to vary the closing j'nessurc of said clamp.

29. In an apparatus ol. the charm-tor described, the combination with :i press havinr; cooperating; blttlllllllfl out dies and a ran: by which one of said dies is carried, ot a series oi. shaping dies each coiu n'isiuljei com-- jileinentary sections, and mechanism (llltl' ated by said rain l'or s1urcci-sively pressiii r together the sections oi the several dies.

30. ltn an apparatus ol the character described, the combination with a press liaviuo; cooperating blanking out dies and a mm by which one oil said dies is carried, ot a series oi sha 'iing dies each coruprisin couiplelncutary sections, and mechanism operated. by said rain ilor successively pressing: to lethcr the sections oil? the several. dies and 'lccdiugr the series.

ill. in an :uniaratus ot the clan-actor doscribed, the combination with a. press having; cooperating blanking; out dies and a ram bv which one ol? said dies is carried, ot a phirality of shaping dies ouch comprising coun plementary scctionia beam adjacent which the correspoiulingg sections ol the .cvoi'ul dies are guided in a se ies, means. for sold ing the complementary sections in anotl'icr f ll] llll lift] series adjacent thereto, a clamp guided for longitudinal movement on said beam for successively engaging complementary die sections of the respective series and pressing them together, means carried by said clamp for closing the same, a member movable longitudinally of said beam for operating said closing means and moving said clamp on said beam, means for operatively connectii said last named member with said rain, and a friction device between said clamp and beam for holding said clamp against movement on said beam by said longitudinally movable member until the latter has caused said closing means to close said clamp with su'liicient force to overcome the friction.

32. An apparatus for forming articles irom sheet material comprising, in combination, dies for punching blanks from the material, shaping dies adapted to receive said blanks from said punching dies, and mechanism for operating said shaping dies to convey said blan is away from said punching dies and to press and mold the same.

An apparatus for forming articles from sheet material comprising, in combina tion, dies for punching blanks from the material, shaping dies adapted to receive said blanks from said punching dies, mechanism for operating said shaping dies to press and mold said blanks and to convey the same away from said punching dies, and means for ejecting the molded blanks from said shaping dies.

34. in an apparatus of the character described, 21 series of shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, means for successively pressing together the sections of the several dies and feeding the series intermittently, and means for ejecting the molded blanks from said dies.

35. In an apparatus oi the character described, a series of shaping dies each comprising complementary sections, the corresponding sections of the several dies being linked together in continuous chains, drums iior supporting and guiding said chains with reaches of the several chains adjacent and parallel to one another, mechanism for successively pre sing together the complementary die sections oi the several chains and for feeding said chains, and ejector mechanism carried by one of said drums and cooperating successively with the several. die sections of the corresponding chain as they pass thereabout.

The combination of a pair of cooperating spaced forming members, and means movable in two directions for moving said members into engagement to form an article and also for moving said members together with the article.

87. The combination of a series oi die members linked to form an endless chain, supports at the ends thereof for supporting the chain, a cooperating die section, means for moving a die member toward said die section, and means for permitting yielding movement of one of said supports during the movement of said die member.

The combination of two sets of travelling complementary die sections one set travelling beyond the other, means for op erating the complementary die sections to form an article, and means controlled by said operating means for discharging the article from one of the sections upon travelling a predetermined distance beyond its complementary section.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE P. MALLORY. 

